Ottawa’s stagnant O-Card project is catching second wind from the government’s Information Technology branch, according to cfra.com. The IT sub-committee is taking over development of the project, which would provide Ottawans with smart cards for transit, library and parking services. Although optimistic, IT staff say there are a number of issues that must be addressed […]

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is looking at an open payment fare-collection system that would allow commuters to pay for rides with contactless credit or debit cards, as well as NFC mobile phones, according to itbusiness.ca. The rest of the Greater Toronto Area, however, is considering adopting a prepaid fare card system, called the Presto […]

The province of Ontario is pushing for the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) to adopt the Presto smart card system for public transportation, according to CBC News. The Presto card is a reloadable contactless card that allows users to tap and go at ticket collection points. If implemented, the system would allow riders to use one […]

The government of Mexico has certified Impinj’s Speedway Revolution reader for purchase by state agencies and automotive industries in compliance with the upcoming electronic vehicle registration initiative, Regstro Publico Vehicular (REPUVE). In the countrywide vehicle identification program, Impinj’s Speedway readers will encode required data onto government sanctioned Gen 2 tags, provided by Mexico-based label stock […]

The Unisys Security Index states that the majority of travelers would be willing to submit biometrics data for enhanced security and convenience. The latest report surveyed 1,004 people via telephone in late January on concerns regarding national, financial, Internet and personal safety issues. The survey also asked participants questions regarding the misuse of personal data, […]

Transport for London (TfL), the body of local government responsible for public transportation in Greater London, has bought the rights to the Oyster Card brand for £1m from TranSys, according to BBC News. Rumor has it that TfL has already begun trials on using Oyster on bank cards and mobile phones. Kulveer Ranger, the Mayor […]

Sydney will have to wait another two years for a smart card transit system that is already 13-years late and quadruple the expected cost, according to itwire.com. Pearl Consortium, which includes Commonwealth Bank and Cubic Transportation Systems Australia, just scored a $1.2 billion contract with the NSW Government to amend the maligned Tcard system. The […]

London is gearing up the July 30 launch of a citywide bike rental program featuring contactless smart cards, according to squidcard.com. The system will comprise four hundred docking stations housing some six thousand bikes stationed all over London. Customers are asked to pay a £3 registration fee, which covers the cost of a contactless smart […]

simplyBus has launched its contactless ticketing system in the Reading, Newbury and Thatcham, UK bus networks, according to The Reading Chronicle. Riders can purchase the new smart cards from the simplyBUS Travel Center in the Broad Street Mall, simplyBUS’s Head Office, Great Knollys Street Reading, or online. The cards cover single, daily, or weekly rides. […]

Transport for London, issuer of the popular Oyster Card, is in the process of upgrading to new, more secure cards. Two-years ago researchers found a vulnerability on the existing MIFARE contactless smart cards that the agency was using. NXP’s MIFARE Classic line of products was possibly the world’s most widely deployed contactless product, used for […]